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3 Ways To Save $3k This Year (Without clipping coupons)

Not everyone wants to clip coupons, but everyone wants to save! Get three ways to save $3k a year without clipping coupons in this post. As someone said after they read it, “Saving pennies without counting pennies.”

For more ways to save money this year, check out all our frugal ideas.

Woman carrying two shopping bags through the casino with the words "3 Ways To Save $3k This Year (without clipping coupons)" digitally written above her.

I’m gonna be honest: Pete and I don’t count our pennies. If we go to the store and I feel like impulse buying a chocolate bar at checkout, I don’t flip out and reprimand myself. We’re allowed a treat here and there. Why? Because we make huge sacrifices in our budget so that we can save thousands of dollars a year. And when you’re saving thousands, you can spend a dollar here and there and not feel guilty about it.

Of course, we use coupons. I never go shopping without going through the ad and finding coupons first.

But not everyone wants to sit and clip coupons.

I understand that. So I put together a list of three ways to save $3,000 a year without cutting coupons.

These budget saving ideas may take a little while to get used to, but once you do, you’ll never go back to your old ways.

3 Ways To Save $3k (Without Clipping Coupons)

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A digital TV antenna.

Cut the cord

Pete and I don’t have cable. In fact, neither of us have ever paid for it since we’ve moved out of our parents’ homes. We do watch TV, though, completely for free.

We have a 4K UHD Smart TV in our living room, two HDTV’s upstairs (one is a newer flat screen and one is not as smart and more boxy from when HDTV’s first came out), and a small flat screen in the garage.

All different televisions, all different ages, all have digital TV antennas. They are not one of those crazy rabbit ears antennas (although we did actually have one of those on the boxy television until we upgraded).

The antennas are flat and about the same size of a piece of paper. We’re able to pick up all the basic cable channels (ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, the CW, PBS, and more) over the air and we don’t pay a penny for it. 

Plus, there are a lot of programs that you can stream online for free too, so we’re not missing anything (except a $100 a month bill!).

And keep that in mind too. Most of the basic channels have apps that allow you to stream episodes after they’ve aired. Some will allow it the next day, others make you wait a week. If you don’t mind waiting, that could be a good option for you too.

Savings: $1,200 (averaging about $100 a month)

Two disposable coffee cups in a coffee shop.

Skip the coffee shop

I really love coffee. I went the majority of my life avoiding the stuff and in the last few years, it’s grown to be my hot beverage of choice.

But it can get expensive.

In the coffee shop, it’s about $3 for a cup of regular coffee. When I buy coffee on sale and after coupons, I usually pay $2 a bag (and one bag is 26 servings). So basically, one bag of coffee makes each cup just under 8 cents. Yes, eight little cents a cup. That’s a savings of $2.92 a cup.

Now, let’s say you’re stopping by the coffee shop every workday. That’s $15 a week or $780 a year. If you make your coffee at home for eight cents, you’re only spending $20.80 during that same time. Really, it’s a no brainer.

Affogato and cookies on a plate.

At home coffee recipes:

If you need a little inspiration because you don’t want a typical plain brewed cup of coffee, these at home coffee recipes might inspire you to have you cup of Joe at home.

Savings: about $760 a year

Sheet Pan Chicken Vesuvio in a pan.

Cook at home

Pete and I make nearly every meal at home. He loves to cook and I love to scour Pinterest for new recipe ideas.

Making a meal at home is so much cheaper than going out to a restaurant to have it. Plus, you have control over what, exactly, you’re putting into your body. You can make sure you’re using fresh, local, or organic ingredients. You can choose healthier and lighter options too.

And you can save a lot of dough if you’re making your own dough (we actually do make our own dough).

Just a quick recent example. I made baked spaghetti, which cost me $8 for all the ingredients (spaghetti, sauce, garlic, onions, mozzarella cheese, and 20 oz. of ground turkey). It ended up being six servings for us, so about $1.25 a serving.

Let’s say we went out to dinner and ordered spaghetti. Spaghetti and meatballs at Olive Garden is $14 (I just googled the menu). For two of us, that’s $28. Plus a tip. And I hope that’s enough for leftovers, because we each ate three times on that $8 baked spaghetti.

If you eat in instead of out once a week, and you average a savings of $20 each time, that’s $1,040 a year.

If you want ideas for recipes, we have a bunch of them posted here. Be sure to pin your favorites to your Pinterest boards too, so you have the recipe handy when you’re hungry.

Man and a child in a kitchen with the ingredients to make homemade pizza. The words "The Ultimate Guide To Saving Money By Cooking At Home" are digitally written above them.

Tips for cooking at home:

If you want to start cooking at home, but need an entry point, you’re in luck. We have a guide: The Ultimate Guide To Saving Money By Cooking At Home. You’ll get recipes, tips on what kitchen tools you need (and which you don’t), and more.

Savings: about $1,040 a year

Total of all three tips: $1,200 + $760 + $1,040 = $3,000 a year

And that’s by just doing a little bit to save. Imagine if you made a few other life changes, like knowing your price points or using cash back apps when you shop. Your savings could really add up.

And you could put that into savings. Or treat yourself. Whatever works.

A playhouse covered in snow with the words "Tips To Keep Your Family Warm This Winter" digitally written on top.

More Tips For Saving Money:

If you got this far, there’s a good chance that you’re really going to try and maximize your savings this year. That’s awesome.

We have a few more posts to help you save that will be very useful during the year.

What do you do to save money? Be sure to leave us a comment in the comments with you ideas!

Michelle

Thursday 20th of January 2022

These are great tips! We cut the cord years ago and couldn't be happier! Not only are we saving money, but we're saving time, too. We're no longer going through 1000 channels just to complain about how there's nothing on. Haha!

Stephanie 139a

Thursday 20th of January 2022

Definitely the coffee and cooking at home - and like you say, a treat occasionally is no bad thing. Thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo

Donna @ Modern on Monticello

Wednesday 19th of January 2022

I agree with avoiding the coffee shop and the eating at home wholeheartedly. Saves us so much money each year. Thanks for sharing all these tips and many more.

Donna B Reidland

Monday 17th of January 2022

These are such great recommendations! I rarely buy coffee out. I actually like mine better. I can control the strength and sweetness and with all the thermal cups out there, it stays hot for quite a while. So, I can make it before I head out the door if I really want it on the road. We are also looking at different TV viewing options so I appreciated your suggestions.

Rachelle

Saturday 15th of January 2022

I LOVE a good frugal website!!! These are great tips to practice for 2022. Thanks for sharing.